Reykholt and Snorri Sturluson
- Einar Páll Svavarsson
- Jun 8
- 3 min read
Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of Reykholt, a farm and hamlet in Iceland's western region, bursting with historical and cultural significance! In medieval times, this spot was the epicenter of power, culture, and intense power struggles among chieftains who weren't afraid to engage in fierce and deadly battles. At the heart of these thrilling events was the legendary Snorri Sturluson, a key figure in power, wealth, and leadership. Snorri hailed from the ambitious Sturlungar family, named after his father, Sturla Þórðarson, who resided at the farm Hvammur. Yet, he was also shaped by the Oddaverjar family from southern Iceland, named after their farm Oddi. What a thrilling tapestry of history!
Snorri Sturluson
Snorri was nothing short of a genius, and he received the finest education available during his era! The Oddaverjar, descendants of the wise Sæmundur, hailed from Oddi, one of Iceland's most renowned learning centers when Snorri was growing up. As a poet, writer, scholar, historian, chieftain, and a man with immense political ambitions and influence, Snorri became one of the most pivotal figures in Icelandic history. He penned two of the most celebrated sagas, Heimskringla and Edda, and is believed to have authored the Saga of Egill Skallagrímsson. Snorri spent decades at Reykholt, where his remarkable journey came to a dramatic end when his former son-in-law, Gissur Þorvaldsson, tragically killed him in 1241. Snorrastofa, a small museum, stands as a vibrant cultural center honoring the life and achievements of this cultural and political titan. It's a fascinating place to visit and worth your time! In recent years, scholars have been amplifying Snorri’s stature in world literature, and the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings openly acknowledged his influence on Tolkien. There's also a compelling argument that Snorri inspired many other brilliant minds, authors, and composers in the cultural world.
Snorralaug, the old geothermal pool
The small geothermal pool at Reykholt, surrounded by flat stones, is one of the oldest geothermal pools in Iceland. So often used by Snorri for bathing and relaxation and so vital to him that he built a tunnel from the pool to his house.
Although the pool is still at Reykholt, it is probably different from the one used by Snorri himself and most likely a replica of the original jacuzzi. Remarkably, Icelanders used geothermal pools as far back as the 12th century. Almost every town, village, and farm currently uses a method to heat houses and swimming pools in many municipalities. If you like to try something similar, you should visit the nearby bathing place at Krauma. Ironically a dispute regarding ownership of the farm Deildartunga where Krauma is located, created a sequence of events that ended with Snorri Sturluson being adopted as a foster son of Oddaverjar.
The church and the cultural center
Today Reykholt is a school, a museum, and a cultural center. It is an excellent place to stop and rest and visit the tiny museum. The museum gives you a lot of information about Snorri, medieval times, and the chieftains in Iceland. It is a joy and has a small bookstore for those eager to learn more about Snorri and his great work. The pool is a perfect place for a selfie, and you should take the time to visit the church.
Finding your way to Reykholt
On the road, nr. 1 in the west region north of the village Borgarnes, you turn to the east on road nr. 50. You continue that road until you reach Krauma and the farm Deildartunga where you also find the boiling water of Deildartunguhver. A short distance from Krauma, you find a junction leading to road nr. 518, the road that takes you to Reykholt.
If you're planning to tour Iceland in a rental car, make sure to read this article about the type of car that would be best for your trip.
Location of Reykholt on the map of Iceland
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